THE HEN FEVEB. 149 



lenging crow, &om the gullet of the ebon beauty before 

 me. 0, what a crow was that, my countrymen ! I re- 

 solved to possess this bird, at any cost. And I was soon in 

 communication with the gentleman who then had her. 



" Is this your hen, sir ? " I inquired. And I think the 

 gentlentan suspected me, instanter. 



" Yes," he answered. " That is, I support her." 



" Will you sell her ? " ~ 



"No — no, sir." 



" I will give you ten dollars for her." 



Crack ! Crash ! Whew ! went that crow, again. I 

 was electrified. 



" I '11 give you fifteen " 



"No, sir." 



" Twenty dollars, then." 



"No." 



" What will you take for her ? " 



" Hark ! " he replied. " Is n't that music ? Is n't that 

 heavenly ? " 



" What is that? " I asked, eagerly. 



" My hen." 



"What is she doing?" 



" Singing," said the gentleman. 



" Beautiful ! " I responded. "I will give you forty dol- 

 lars for her." 



" Take her," replied her keeper. " She is yours." 

 18* 



